The US Market Could Get The Next Generation Volkswagen Golf Cabrio

Volkswagen may still be dealing with the ramifications of the “DieselGate” emissions scandal, but apparently, that hasn’t stopped the company from looking ahead into the future of its vehicle lineup in the U.S. According to Car and Driver, the German automaker is planning to bring the Golf Cabriolet back to the US, effectively putting an end to the convertible’s prolonged absence in the region.

The Golf Cabriolet hasn’t been sold in America since 2002.
Beginning in 2006, Volkswagen has relied on the Eos to fill its entry-level convertible slot in the market, but now that the Eos is headed towards its grave, the Golf Cabrio is now anticipated to pick up the reigns once again. There’s no timetable on when the Golf Cabrio will be brought back, but don’t expect it to happen anytime soon, at least not until 2018 when the eighth-generation Golf makes its highly-anticipated debut. A reason for that is because the current generation Golf Cabrio is still based on the sixth-generation Golf instead of the current Golf Mk VII model.

By all indications, it’s return to the U.S. is a question of “when” instead of “if.” But once it does arrive, the U.S.-bound Golf Cabriolet is expected to use Volkswagen’s existing MQB architecture, which is already being used on the Mk VII Golf, as well as the Mk II Tiguan, Mk III Touran, and the Passat B8. It will also feature a number of powertrain options, including three- and four-cylinder gas engines. Diesel-powered TDI units are also in the pipeline, although it’s highly unlikely that they make their way here.

As is often the case when it comes to the Golf family, the US-bound Golf Cabriolet could also arrive with different trim options.

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Why it matters

The return of the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet is obviously great news for those who have been pining to see it come back after over a decade of being absent in the U.S. But, I’m not as excited about the prospect of seeing the convertible return in this side of the world until I know more about Volkswagen’s specific plans.

I don’t want to see the current edition of the Golf Cabriolet in the US for a number of reasons. First, I don’t see the point of buying a car that’s based on a generation of the Golf that has already been replaced. I’d be completely on board if the current Golf Cabriolet is based on the current generation of the model. Unfortunately, it’s not, which is a big issue for me.

Second, I don’t know where Volkswagen is at this point with regards to the DieselGate scandal. What I do know is that from a public perception standpoint, now’s not the right time to be bringing models to the U.S., especially if the company hopes that it would sell well in the market. For that matter, I think VW should first fix the mess it created before it starts making proclamations of its future lineup in this region. I get why the company’s doing it, but timing plays a huge role in drumming up interest in a car, especially one that’s been MIA since 2002.

By all indications, Volkswagen is serious about bringing the Golf Cabrio back to the U.S. I just hope that it takes its time and develops a car that has the legs and appeal to last. It’s a good idea to base it on the eighth-generation Golf because it gives VW time to right its wayward ship and, just as important, time to make the necessary evolutionary changes on the model.
As it is now, business climate and all, sending the current Golf Cabriolet back to the US is a bad idea all around.